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Bishoujo Senshi Sailormoon and its associated characters and canon belong to Naoko Takeuchi and Kodansha. The text of this creative work was written by Ashaela and is her exclusive property. Not to be used without permission.  Sailor Venus stomped along the castle corridors, each echoing footfall a testament to her pent-up emotion. Her hair bounced with every deliberately firm step, and her attractive face was twisted in anger. She shoved the door to Sailor Mercury's bedchamber open with a slam, startling the blue-haired woman away from her reading. "Venus? What's - oh." She paused at the expression on Venus' face. "What's the matter?" "It's the Princess," Sailor Venus said. "We need to talk." Sailor Mercury listened. Halfway through the second sentence, she went to the door and had Sailor Mars and Sailor Jupiter summoned. By the time they arrived, Venus had nearly finished her story, and started it over again for their benefit. At the end of it all, the three Soldiers sat with their mouths agape. "Well, I can't blame you for being upset," Mars began, her brow furrowing in growing anger. "To think she would abandon her duty like that! This marriage to Prince Endymion is much too important for her to jeopardize it by dallying with a stable hand, of all people! Why, I've half a mind to.. to..." Her voice trailed off as she contemplated the possibilities. "We need to find out who he is and what he wants with Serenity," Jupiter added. "He could be an Earth agent, trying to blackmail her, or someone else with illicit purposes on his mind. I say we put the Princess under constant guard until we apprehend him and smuggle him away from the castle." Mercury, hearing the story for the second time, was looking at her hands folded in her lap. "We knew she wasn't happy, but we didn't do anything about it. Maybe we should find Serenity and sit down with her, explain to her why she can't see him any more. I'm sure she'd understand." The Warrior of Love stared around at the faces of her three closest companions, her eyes widening. "What do you mean, stop them? I'm just mad she didn't tell me first!" Princess Serenity had been bubbly, almost giddy, all through breakfast, her memories of the night before still fresh in her mind, counteracting the effects of one more sleepless night. Although she could feel the reality of her situation poking around the edges of her happiness, shooting at her through the frozen, emotionless glances of the Prince across the table, she refused to let it intrude. Just this once, just for today, she wanted to enjoy the love of her stable hand without worrying about the future. She chatted to the Sailor Soldiers, oblivious to the looks they kept giving her; laughed with her mother, and even smiled at Prince Endymion without worry about whether he responded. When the meal ended, she nearly bounced from her chair, unphased by Sailor Mercury's reminder of further lessons that morning. As she floated down the hall, surrounded on four corners by the Soldiers, Princess Serenity could think only of her beloved. Her behavior did not go unnoticed by her fiancé. Prince Endymion watched Serenity go from the table, scowling inwardly. When her form had disappeared from sight, the Prince stood, bowing sharply to Queen Serenity, and then left the room in a near-march. He continued through the castle corridors, stoically staring straight ahead, ignoring all passers-by until reaching his chambers. When he finally had himself safely behind the solid wooden door, the façade crumbled. His face twisted in sorrow, Prince Endymion stumbled to the large desk in one corner of his sitting room. He reached into the top drawer and withdrew a small sketched drawing. The man who'd drawn the thing had had no idea who the subjects were. Kunzite had commissioned it from a street-corner artist, paying him well for the piece and hiding the paper among Prince Endymion's things when it was clear the two of them would be separated. This was the only thing the Prince had ever dared disobey his parents about, and even then, it was only in secret. If they had ever actually ordered him to give up his relationship with the eldest general, Prince Endymion didn't know if he'd be strong enough to rebel. An arranged marriage was close enough to a cease-and-desist order, though. Prince Endymion had no idea how the Moon Princess felt about open marriages, but he had the feeling she'd take mortal offense to the suggestion that they see other people while wed. Jadeite, with his typical lack of subtlety, had suggested an "I'm not marrying you no matter what" and a hasty return to Earth - but he'd sniggered while he said it. "They just don't understand!" Prince Endymion snatched up the drawing and fell backwards onto his bed, holding the frame over his head and looking up at it. "They've never experienced a love like ours. If only you were here now..." A voice rang from the distant corner of the bedroom. "But I am here, my Prince. And glad as I am to see you mooning over my picture, I'd much rather have you say hello...." "Kunzite!" Prince Endymion leapt from the bed to see his general standing there. "But - I - how in the world did you get here?" "Convenient Plot Device." Kunzite said as he embraced Prince Endymion. "What?" Kunzite's eyes fogged over as a distinctly feminine voice came from an indistinct corner of the room. "Look, I just wanted him there, all right? Of course, if you've decided you don't want to see Kunzite after all, I can re-write the scene..." The Mysterious Voice held more than a small threat if she were forced to 're-write the scene,' whatever that meant. Prince Endymion shook his head quickly. "Oh, good. Play nice now!" There was a sound of snapping fingers, and Prince Endymion's eyes glazed momentarily. When they cleared, he was left with some very unclear memories of the last few moments, and an unspecific conviction that right there was exactly where Kunzite was supposed to be. Sailor Venus was on the hunt. She stalked down the hallways of the castle, pausing at every intersection and doorway to swivel her head back and forth as if her prey were likely to jump out at her with a gorilla mask on. The Warrior of Love and Beauty did not take kindly to gorilla masks. She didn't take kindly to being left out of romantic intrigues, come to think of it. Princess Serenity should have come to her first! The two of them could have plotted and schemed together to pull off the unlikely romance. Well, she could still give Serenity a chance for redemption. If the Princess would only recognize her need for help from the Soldier of Love, all would be forgiven. Lost in her thoughts, Sailor Venus nearly missed the door to Prince Endymion's chambers. She caught herself as she passed it and stopped to pound on the wood. Glancing up and down the hall to make sure there were no witnesses, she banged again. "Come on, Your Highness! I know you have to be in there, and if you don't open right now I'll -" "You'll what?" The door opened suddenly under her fist, throwing her off-balance, and the unfamiliar, deep voice threw her even more off-balance. Sailor Venus found herself sitting on the hallway floor, rubbing her rear where she'd impacted, looking up at two men peering around the doorway - one of whom she recognized as Prince Endymion, and the other of whom she recognized not at all. "Oh. Ah. Sailor Venus, this is Kunzite. Kunzite, this is Sailor Venus. Um. Could you excuse me for a moment?" After shoving Kunzite back inside and closing the door, the Prince extended a hand to Sailor Venus to help her up. As she dusted off her uniform, she glared in thought. The impressions she was getting from the Prince and his visitor were nearly the same as she'd gotten from Princess Serenity and her - ah - midnight company the night before. Wait a minute... "Was he cleared with castle security?" she demanded. "Well, no. Look, this will be difficult to explain. You see, Kunzite is one of my generals, and -" "And you're in love with him," Venus finished. "You know, I can still hear you," came Kunzite's voice from behind the door. He pushed the door back open as he spoke. "But this is wonderful!" she exclaimed. "If you and he are together, than you don't have to marry Princess Serenity! And that means everything will be fine! I just have to tell Queen Serenity..." "Now wait!" Prince Endymion panicked at the thought of the Queen, and by extension his parents, getting involved. "I can still marry her. Everything's fine, really!" "If she can convince the Queen to let you off, why not? It's not like anyone can blame you for preferring me to some girl," Kunzite put in. "It's not like that," Venus said. "The Princess has a lover, and -" "She has a lover? While she's engaged to me??" Prince Endymion slowly started turning purple. "Why do you say that like it's the only thing that matters?" Kunzite asked. "- and she very rudely neglected to ask for my help in the matter -" Sailor Venus continued. "I shouldn't be upset that my fiancé is seeing someone else?" Prince Endymion demanded angrily. "- so I think -" "Of course not! You're seeing me!" "- the two of you -" "That's not the point!" "QUIET!" Sailor Venus hollered. She nodded with satisfaction at the subsequent silence. "Right. Now, I am bound and determined to make sure some couple has a happy ending today! So if I can't find the Princess and her beau, you two will have to do! You're coming with me!" She turned sharply and marched down the hall. In near-shock at the sheer number of exclamation points permeating Sailor Venus's words, Kunzite and Prince Endymion followed her dumbly in search of the Queen. "I can't believe I let you talk me into this," Endymion said, laughing. "It's the middle of the day! They're going to miss me at the stables." "Well, I was missing you already!" Princess Serenity gave his hand a squeeze as she led him up the stairs and down the next hallway. "Where are we going, anyway? It's risky for me to be here, not to mention being here with you!" Endymion smiled as he said it, to soothe any offense he might inadvertently cause. He didn't often get to see the beautiful decorations inside the castle, anyway, and seeing them with Serenity was even better. "I know, but I wanted you to see something." She smiled in return, the clear love in her eyes warming him through. "It's not much further." This was as close to a perfect moment as Endymion could imagine. Which was, of course, why he promptly felt obliged to risk ruining it. "Serenity, I have to tell you something." As she looked up at him quizzically, about to speak, Endymion hurried to get his words out. "My real name isn't -" He was cut short by the appearance of Queen Serenity around the corner. The Queen, obviously not paying much attention to her surroundings, held a sheaf of papers in one hand and had a pen stuck awkwardly behind an ear. She nodded distractedly as they approached. "Serenity, Endymion, glad to see you're getting alo-" Startled back to reality, Queen Serenity stared more closely into Endymion's face. "You aren't Prince Endymion, are you." "No, ma'am," was all he could say. "Mind telling me just who you are?" "Endou, ma'am. I work in your stables." A quick glance at the Princess showed Endymion that she was feeling just as panicked as he was. He realized he was still holding Serenity's hand. "I see." The Queen's gaze traveled from his face to her daughter's. "Serenity, Endou," she nodded at them. "Mind if I have a word with you in my waiting room?" Five minutes later the three of them arrived at Queen Serenity's waiting room just in time to meet Sailor Venus, Prince Endymion, and an unfamiliar man in what Endymion recognized as a uniform from Earth, all coming from the other direction. The two men looked apprehensive, while the soldier seemed quite determined on something. "Your Highness, Sailor Venus," the Queen greeted them in a cool voice. "And - Lord Kunzite, if I'm not mistaken. I didn't realize you would be joining us today." "I hadn't either, Your Majesty," the general replied smoothly. "It was something of a surprise." "I see." Looking around at the group, Queen Serenity pushed the door to her waiting room open. "I would appreciate it if you all would join me inside?" They filed into the room, taking up positions on the seats inside. Endymion and Serenity found themselves on one of the couches, still holding each others' hands. Endymion still wondered about the presence of an Earth general here. "Now then, Venus. Something tells me you have a lot to do with what's been going on." Queen Serenity fixed her with a steady gaze. "Care to explain?" "Ah - yes." A bit flustered at being the center of attention, Sailor Venus reasserted herself quickly. "Basically, Your Majesty, here's what's happened. The Princess and that man-" she pointed to the couch where Serenity and the stable hand sat "-are in love, and the Prince and that man -" she pointed again, this time to the pair of cushioned chairs that held Prince Endymion and Kunzite "-are in love." The gasps that accompanied that swift announcement were drowned out by Queen Serenity's voice. "WHAT?" The Princess bit her lip, looking down, and then looked her mother right in the eyes. "It's true. I didn't intend for things to go this far, but - I love Endou. Prince Endymion and I wouldn't be happy together, but Endou and I are," she continued, knowing she was breaking a promise, but also knowing that nothing was more important to her now than the man who sat beside her, holding her hand. "If Prince Endymion is happier without me, Mother, then please let us break the engagement. It would be better for everyone." She could feel the Prince's glaring eyes drilling into her, accusing her, but she tried to ignore him. "It would mean disaster for diplomatic relations between the Earth and Moon, Serenity," the Queen answered. "I raised you to respect your duty. Is this man really worth throwing all that away?" She stared straight into the stable hand's eyes, and he realized that this was a challenge not to the Princess, but to himself. The Princess's hand tightened on his. Looking at his love, Endymion could see that she was nervous. Willing, if not entirely anxious, to be Serenity's knight in shining armor, he spoke up. "It's my fault, Your Majesty. I found the Princess by the -" Something told him it wasn't the best idea to tell the Queen about Serenity throwing off her engagement pendant. "I mean, I was in the -" Nor to tell her about his excursions in the garden, come to think of it. "I mean, Your Majesty, you shouldn't blame her." As Queen Serenity continued to gaze at him steadily, and Endymion's hopes steadily fell, there came a knock at the door. Sailor Venus moved to answer it at the Queen's nod. Outside the doorway, there stood an official of the court dressed in the Moon Kingdom's livery, and behind him a rather distraught-looking Queen of Earth. "Her Majesty Queen Elana is here to see you, your Majesty," the official said, looking quite put upon. "She insisted on being presented immediately." Queen Elana pressed past him through the doorway and up to stand before the Moon Queen's seat. "Serenity, dear, I'm so sorry to disturb you, but it seems one of my son's little friends has disappeared," she said, her words tumbling out over each other in her haste. "I don't suppose he's found his way here, has he? I couldn't find anyone who'd seen him use the teleporter, but that doesn't really mean anything if you think about it." The silence that greeted her entrance was broken only by the growing sound of Sailor Venus snickering. As Elana turned to chastise whoever was laughing at her, she caught sight of Prince Endymion, Kunzite, and then Princess Serenity on the couch with - "En - Endymion?" Prince Endymion started to answer, but his mother's eyes weren't on him. They were firmly fixed on the stable hand who sat next to Princess Serenity. Elana wasn't sure how she knew, but she had the conviction that this man was her long-lost son. He still had his dark hair and shining grey eyes, and he'd grown to resemble his father even more in the years he'd been missing. Wordlessly, with tears sparkling in the corners of her eyes, she held her arms out to him. For his part, Endymion was struggling with the flashes of memory that came and went in the recesses of his mind. He could remember a great column of light, an assembly of somber people - and this woman, and a great man, each holding one of his hands as they watched the light shimmer and sputter. He'd pulled loose then, anxious to touch the sparkles and hold them in his tiny hand... "Mother?" "Endymion!" As everyone around watched in shock, Elana ran forward to hug her son. He met her, leaping from the couch into her embrace, tears streaming down both their faces. She brought a hand to hold his head, stroking his hair. "I can't believe it's you, after all this time. I can't believe it." She held him tightly, not willing to let go for anything. "Well." Sailor Venus coughed and leaned toward Queen Serenity. "Guess that solves that problem!" She was quite proud of herself for her intervention in it all. "Yes," the Queen said softly. "I suppose it does." A few weeks later.... "There's something I haven't yet had a chance to ask you, although I suppose it's a little late now," Serenity began as Sailor Venus fixed pale forget-me-nots into her hair. She was sitting at the dressing table in a room decorated in pale pinks and yellows; a room quite clearly dedicated to such things as ribbons, makeup, and flowing gowns such as the one she was now wearing. The former stable hand seemed out of place in such a room; even his fine white suit and hat couldn't disguise the fact that he was a male in a very female area. The two of them had insisted on being together today, however, as the frantic preparations of the last few weeks hadn't afforded them much time for chatting. "Why didn't you tell me your real name?" "Well, at first, I didn't want to be seen as pretentious - you know, having the same name as a Prince from Earth," he answered. "A friend of mine suggested that I change it, and although I didn't want to, I had to agree with her." "And later?" She turned her head, checking the position of the flowers in the mirror, and took up a pair of sparkling earrings to put on. Sailor Venus lifted her crown from its pedestal, smoothing the attached veil with her fingertips before settling it on Serenity's head. "Later... I guess I was frightened. I wanted to tell you; in fact, I was ready to tell you a few times, but something always intervened. And the truth is I was happy for the interference. I didn't want you to hate me for lying to you." "It did come as something of a shock," Serenity said dryly. She studied herself one last time in the mirror, and turned to face her Endymion. "But I love you, no matter what your name is. You know that, right?" "Of course." He nodded to reinforce his agreement. "Good." She reached out to poke him in a spot she knew was especially ticklish, and giggled as he squirmed. "I'd hate to think you were doubting me, or yourself, at this point." "I'll never doubt you, Serenity. You can trust me on that, forever." He leaned closer to her, all teasing and tickling forgotten, as their lips came nearer and nearer... "What's this?" Sailor Jupiter came into the dressing room, closely followed by Sailor Mars. "He shouldn't be in here! They aren't even supposed to see each other until the wedding begins!" "Would you like to try and throw him out?" Sailor Venus demanded of her companion soldiers. "I don't know about you, but I'd rather not separate them at this point. Who knows what could happen? You could ruin all my hard work in getting them together!" "All your hard work?" Sailor Jupiter and Sailor Mars exchanged glances. "Right, whatever you say," the Soldier of Fire finished. "I'll leave you to it then. We just came to tell you that the hall is filling up. If you're almost ready, I think they want to start the ceremony soon." Her eyes softened as she looked at her Princess, the girl who had been her charge for so long, and the woman who was about to be married. "You look beautiful, Serenity. I'm so happy for you." Overcome with emotion, Sailor Mars left the room before her eyes started to tear. "She's right, Serenity. I know you two will be happy together." Sailor Jupiter followed Mars out the door, pausing only to say to Endymion "And if she isn't happy, I'll hold you accountable. You know that, right?" He nodded somberly. Even though the soldier was half-joking, she was no one Endymion wanted mad at him. "I'll do my very best." "Good." She disappeared, leaving the two alone with Sailor Venus. Sailor Mercury had given them her best wishes earlier, as she was responsible for coordinating all the different aspects of the ceremony, and was even now most likely arranging seating and double-checking the kitchen's preparations. Endymion had to admit he was glad not to have to face the concerted strength of all the soldiers at once. They could hear music starting outside the room, echoing through the marble halls of the castle. Endymion took a deep breath. "Are you ready?" Serenity nodded as her bridegroom studied her. She was beautiful; Sailor Mars definitely had that right. Her silver hair was delicately arranged around her face, and the crown and sparkling veil atop her head simply added to the effect. Endymion was convinced that the best part of the sight, though, was the deep crimson engagement pendant that hung against her gown in place of the one his brother had given Serenity first. She had cast aside the blue pendant the same night she received it; even then, its presence had seemed wrong. This necklace, however, suited her. It felt right to see his gift around her neck. It was still a surprise for the orphaned stable hand to think of having a family - a royal family, no less. The brother he shared his name with was difficult to get close to, but Endymion had a feeling that not having to keep his relationship with Kunzite a secret any more would go a long way toward allowing his brother to open up. He and Serenity had offered to share their wedding as a double ceremony, but the younger prince and his general had turned them down. Endymion supposed they wanted to become more accustomed to an open relationship before making it official. Bringing his thoughts back to the moment, Endymion smiled at his bride. He offered her his arm, crooking it so that she could place her hand on his elbow. Serenity looked nervous, but her eyes sparkled to match the gems on her gown and veil, and she smiled back at him with love that was clear to see. "Let's make this forever," he whispered, kissing her hair. The two stepped through the doorway together. |
